China's generative AI user base exceeds 700 million
Generative AI penetration in China reaches record high as adoption expands to hardware
Quick Look
- China's generative AI user base reached 700 million by the end of June, representing over half the population.
- Data from the China Internet Network Information Centre shows a 16% increase since late 2025, with widespread use in Q&A, media processing, and smart hardware.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The China Internet Network Information Centre tracks internet and technology usage trends across the country.
China’s generative artificial intelligence user base surpassed 700 million at the end of June, accounting for more than half of the population as wide AI adoption pushes the technology’s penetration rate to a record high in the country.
The user base data, released Tuesday by the China Internet Network Information Centre, represents an increase of 16 per cent from the end of 2025, when China had 602 million generative AI users with a penetration rate of 42.8 per cent.
Question-and-answer services remain the most common use of generative AI in China. In a survey of users, 76 per cent said they used the technology to seek answers. Nearly half, or 48 per cent, employed AI tools to process images or videos, while 38 per cent used it for text processing and 33 per cent for work summaries, meeting notes or presentations.
The report said AI adoption had also expanded beyond software. Some 39 per cent of users had bought smart hardware online during the past six months.
Open Questions
- What specific smart hardware devices are driving the 39% adoption rate?
- How does the Chinese government plan to regulate this expanded user base?
